Abdominal Pain

If you have lingering abdominal pain that hasn’t improved after several days, continues to keep you up at night, or is starting to affect your daily activities, it’s time for an evaluation. At Mirage Health in Chandler and Mesa, Arizona, Rajiv Sharma, MD, and the team offer comprehensive diagnostic testing, so they can pinpoint the cause of your abdominal pain and get you started on treatment. Before your abdominal pain progresses any further, call the nearest office or request an appointment online today. 

Why do I have abdominal pain?

Although abdominal pain may occur because of damage or injury to your bones, muscles, or nerves, in most cases, issues with abdominal organs are to blame. If you have abdominal pain that isn’t improving or that seems to worsen, it could be a sign of:

• Gallbladder problems, including gallstones and cholecystitis
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Bowel obstruction 
• Lactose intolerance
• Crohn’s disease
• Celiac disease 
• Kidney stones 
• Pancreatitis 
• Ulcers 

Your abdominal pain may also be associated with serious viral or bacterial infections. For women, sometimes lower abdominal and pelvic pain is linked to pregnancy complications, ovarian cysts, or endometriosis. In any case, it’s important to have an evaluation any time you experience abdominal pain. 

When should I see a doctor for abdominal pain?

Your provider at Mirage Health can help you find out why you have abdominal pain and treat the underlying issue directly. They may recommend booking an evaluation if you have any of the following issues:

• Pain during bowel movements or while urinating
• Abdominal swelling or tenderness
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Nausea or vomiting
• Blood in your stool
• Fever 

If you’re experiencing acute, sharp, and severe abdominal pain, emergency medical intervention is important, as it could be a sign of appendicitis or other serious issues. The Mirage Health team can help you with any follow-up or continuing care you may need. 

What is the treatment for abdominal pain?

As part of the diagnostic process, your Mirage Health provider could recommend a series of tests, including a blood draw or urinalysis, fecal occult blood test, colonoscopy, or endoscopy. The Mirage Health team conducts comprehensive diagnostic testing to get to the root of why you have abdominal pain and to rule out any related conditions. 

Depending on your abdominal pain diagnosis, your Mirage Health provider may recommend:

• Medications to minimize acid production
• Shock wave lithotripsy 
• Antibiotic medications 
• Dietary counseling 

Your Mirage Health provider may need to perform a minimally invasive surgical procedure if you have blockages, lesions, large stones, or other serious issues. You can follow up with the Mirage Health team anytime you have questions or concerns.

If you’re experiencing abdominal pain, call Mirage Health or request an appointment online today.